Trends in Differential and Complex Geometry: a celebration of Nigel Hitchin’s 80th birthday
Date: 31 August - 4 September 2026
Location: University of Oxford
Event type: CMI Workshop
Organisers: Tamas Hausel (ISTA), Dominic Joyce (Oxford), Laura Schaposnik (UIC); Scientific Committee: Simon Donaldson (Imperial), Frances Kirwan (Oxford), Rafe Mazzeo (Stanford)
The interactions between geometry, topology, representation theory, and mathematical physics have transformed our understanding of geometric structures and their applications in both pure mathematics and theoretical physics. Geometry has long been at the heart of mathematical advances, with differential and complex geometry playing a fundamental role in many breakthroughs. Over the past half-century, ideas from these fields have influenced areas such as mathematical physics, topology, and number theory, while also evolving through interactions with fields like gauge theory and integrability.
This workshop will explore foundational developments and recent progress, focusing on how core geometric structures continue to shape modern mathematical research. Hitchin’s profound contributions — ranging from Higgs bundles and hyperkähler geometry to generalised complex geometry — have transformed the way we understand and apply geometric structures in modern mathematics. His influence can be seen across multiple areas, providing a central theme that will unify the discussions at this conference.
Invited speakers: David Baraglia (Adelaide), Tom Bridgeland (Sheffield), Robert Bryant (Duke), Simon Donaldson (Imperial), Camilla Felisetti (Modena e Reggio Emilia), Ana Ferreira (Minho), Laura Fredrickson (Oregon), Oscar Garcia-Prada (ICMAT), Michael Groechenig (Toronto), Marco Gualtieri (Toronto), Victoria Hoskins (Essen Duisburg), Jacques Hurtubise (McGill), Ailsa Keating (Cambridge), Marina Logares (Complutense Madrid), Marta Mazzacco, Ngô Bao Châu (Chicago), Simon Salamon (KCL), Jörg Teschner (DESY), Richard Thomas (Imperial), Anna Wienhard (MPIM)
Registration: Registration is free but required and will open early in 2026.
Accommodation: A block of accommodation rooms has been reserved at Jesus College for workshop participants. These may be booked and paid for directly with Jesus College when registration opens using a dedicated link.
Celebratory dinner: Participants will be able to purchase tickets for the celebratory dinner, to be held Wednesday, 2 September at New College, when registering for the workshop.
This workshop is organised with support from: Heilbronn Institute of Mathematical Research, London Mathematical Society, National Science Foundation, University of Oxford, University of Chicago at Illinois, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council